Tom is the son of Starfleet Admiral Owen Paris. Admiral Paris once commanded Kathryn Janeway.

When young Tom wanted to become a member of the Federation Naval Patrol once he'd finished school. But wanting him to follow in his footsteps his father insisted Tom join Starfleet instead.

At Starfleet Academy Tom majored and almost failed Astrophysics. Toms main campus was in Marseille, France. But instead of attending allot of his classes his actually spent a lot of time in the local bar called Chez Sandrine. A bar that once marooned in the Delta Quadrant he re-creates in Voyagers holodeck.

When He graduated from the Academy Tom was assigned to the USS Exeter. Soon into his career Tom was involved in a shuttle accident that cost the lives of three other officers. As the pilot Tom was responsible for the crash, but instead of owning up Tom lied about the accident and continued his career. Soon after though Toms conscience got the better of him and he confessed.

After lying about the accident Tom was dishonourably discharged from Starfleet.

Tom went straight out looking for a fight and so he joined the Maquis, but on his first mission he was captured by Starfleet. He was sent to a Federation penal colony in New Zealand on Earth.

When Captain Janeway goes looking for the Maquis ship the Zola she needs someone with experience of the Maquis hideouts in the Badlands, so she had Tom released and assigned to Voyager as an Advisor. Some of Voyagers crew, in particularly the ships First Officer and Dr show extreme contempt with Tom for his actions when serving on the Exeter.

Once Voyager reaches the Badlands it is pulled into the Delta Quadrant by the Caretaker. Several of Voyagers Key personnel are killed and Captain Janeway awards Paris a Field Commission of Lt and assigns him the post of helmsmen.

When Voyagers Doctor is killed the ships Emergency Medical Hologram becomes the ships Chief Medical Officer and requires an assistant. The only person on aboard best qualified to do the job is Tom. So in conjunction with his helm duties he also trains with and assists the Dr.

However Toms "Changed man" image is shattered in 2375 when he is demoted to Ensign and confined to the Brig for 30 days after he disobeys the Captains orders and breaches the Prime Directive.

Among Toms contributions to Voyager are his excellent piloting skills, his medical skills and his creativeness.

Tom creates a holodeck program called "Fair Haven". A re-creation of an Irish village from the late 19^th century. The program is enjoyed so much that an open door policy is made my the Captain concerning the program.

Tom also uses his creative and subversive qualities in 2372.
Aware that there is a traitor on board communicating with the Kazon, Tom is asked by the Captain to act rebellious to the point where he leaves Voyager and joins the crew of a Talaxian freighter. Soon after the freighter is attacked by the Kazon and Tom is abducted. This allows him to discover the identity of the traitor and on returning to Voyager Tom is hailed a hero and apologises for his behaviour over the last few months. Although he states he did enjoy himself.